Beach and trails at Fayette Historic State Park
A beautiful, mile-long sand beach, backed by low dunes, is about a mile south of the townsite, in a different part of the 711-acre state park. The large picnic area is up from the beach, not far from parking. A five-mile trail system winds through a beech-maple hardwood forest, connecting the beach, campground, and townsite. The trail is groomed in winter. Skis or snowshoes give a quite different view of Fayette townsite when immigrants were challenged to keep warm and fed. (Buildings are not open.)
Look for entrance sign off M-183 a mile past the townsite. (906) 644-2603. State park fee: $6/day Michigan residents, $8 for others. Yearly: $24 or $29. Handicap access: usable but not to code.
[Get Directions]
Return to Garden Peninsula
POINTS OF INTEREST
Fayette State Park. 5-mile trail system of several loops in this big 711-acre park connects beach, campground, & townsite, winding through a beech-maple hardwood forest. Beautiful, sandy swimming beach, 2,000' long, is backed by low dunes, with an adjacent picnic area. The trail through the townsite has got to be one of the most interesting easy trails anywhere. ... more
Garden Points of Interest. Scattered across the Garden Peninsula are villages and shops worth a casual visit ... more
Threefold Vine Winery. First vineyards for making wine on commercial scale in U.P., now 70 grape varieties, with winery's reds best suited to Garden Peninsula. Wines run $9-$15 a bottle. Most popular: sweet Valentine Creek raspberry honey & semi-sweet Camp 9 red wine. Aattractive gift shop with local products. ... more
Fayette Historic Townsite. The museum-like "ghost town" is the remains of a company town around a charcoal pig-iron smelter serving Union arms manufacturers during the Civil War. The town curves around pretty Snail Shell Harbor on Lake Michigan ... more
Garden Orchards. A general apple orchard especially known for its unusual Honey Gold apple, sweet and so sensitive workers have to wear gloves to handle it. ... more
Portage Bay Beach and Ninga Aki Pathway. Low sand dunes, mature pines, spring wildflowers, and a secluded, sandy beach make these two short loops wonderful walks. Signs tell about 15 important plants in traditional Ojibwa life. ... more
Marygrove Retreat Center and bookstore. Since its beginnings the Catholic Church has had a robust tradition of spiritual retreats – stepping away from the busyness of life. This one is open to anyone interested in taking time away from the bustle of modern life ... more
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here
